Method of playing a multiple play video poker game and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a primary poker game which allows for the play of three to ten 5-card hands for a single wager; increasing the wager before the initial deal allows for a secondary game which provides a same single additional card to be added to each hand in the primary game, creating a 6-card stud hand. A single deck of 52 or up to 54 (with jokers) cards is utilized in the play of the primary game. Unlike most multiple play games, each card in the deck is used only once in the totality of primary game hands, there being no duplication of any particular card. The single additional card for the secondary game, which is then duplicated into each of the primary 5-card hands, is dealt from the remaining unused cards. The method of play in the primary game requires a choice of playing from three to ten hands at once, the additional choice of placing from three to ten cards (“Place ′Em cards”) into the chosen number of hands, and a wager of equal or unequal credits per hand to be played. A wager in addition to the primary game wager allows for play of a secondary game based on the results of the primary game. The primary game begins with the deal of a different single card into each wagered hand. The totality of available Place ′Em cards are distributed one-at-a-time by the player into any of each wagered hand, up to a total of 5 cards per hand. Once all Place ′Em cards have been placed, cards from the remaining deck are dealt into each wagered hand until all hands contain 5 cards. All hands are then evaluated and paid according to a predetermined paytable. If an additional wager for the secondary game was indicated, one card from the remaining unused cards in the original deck is added to each 5-card hand. Each resulting 6-card stud hand is then evaluated for the best 5-card hand, and paid according to a separate predetermined paytable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to casino gaming, particularly methods of playing video poker games on slot machines or electronic tables, and particularly to games where multiple poker hands can be played for a single wager.

2. Background of the Art

Many different wagering games presently exist for use in both home and casino environments. Such games should necessarily be exciting, uncomplicated and easy to learn so as to avoid frustrating the players. Card games such as poker and Twenty-One have gained widespread popularity because of their established ranking of hands and well known rules. Furthermore, each of these games usually involves continuous wagering opportunities for the players thus increasing player participation and excitement. Lastly, the games move fairly quickly to maintain action and activity. All of these factors have created games which are widely accepted and widely known.

Wagering games have been described in many previous publications such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,105 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,077. Both of these patents outline the addition of a progressive jackpot component to a Twenty-One game wherein wagers are received for participation in this jackpot component and these wagers are accumulated over a period of time to create a large jackpot. Following completion of a hand, the players may win a jackpot payout based on the final hand received by the player.

Variations in wagering structures can also increase the excitement and acceptance of such wagering games. U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,430 discloses a poker game with an altered wagering scheme thus allowing the player the opportunity to compete for an additional prize or payout.

Other variations can be made to standard games to allow more player opportunity and involvement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,107 discloses a game wherein additional symbols are added to increase wagering opportunities. This allows the player the opportunity to place several wagers on different portions of the game while the game is being played. Somewhat similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,757 discloses a board game wherein the player is given choices regarding alternative strategies for play. Naturally the different strategies chosen have different payoff results. Unfortunately, this game is somewhat complicated and requires a considerable amount of time for the players to learn.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,730 describes a side bet game that may be included with the play of a game of Twenty-One. A player makes a side bet that certain predetermined arrangements of cards or events will occur, with the player receiving special bonuses or jackpots when those events occur. For example, the player's side bet wager may cover such predetermined arrangements of cards or events such as any pair, any pair of the same suit, cards of the same suit, pairs of 2's, pairs of 3's, straights, flushes, runs of 2's and 3's as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,730 and the like. An important consideration in the design of the side bet game to be played in combination with the play of a game of Twenty-One is to have the play of the side bet game irrelevant to the play of a game of Twenty-One. For example, if a jackpot is won when a player obtains six consecutive deuces, every player with a knowledge of the probabilities in the play of Twenty-One would be likely to continue taking hits on a count of 10 with five straight deuces, whether or not the side bet was in play with the game of Twenty-One. The game is specifically designed so that the player will not be required to choose a playing strategy that is inconsistent with the generally accepted strategy of the base game.

Many variations in the play of poker-type games have also been introduced to increase the excitement and interest in the play of both table and video versions of poker. For example, in a video version of draw poker, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,356,140 and 5,531,440 teach that after an initial wager, two distinct hands may be dealt, and the player may select between the two hands for continued play of the game. Only a single hand may be played.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,915 describes a video poker gaming apparatus in which multiple hands are displayed on a screen and each of the hands is partially revealed (e.g., 1 or more cards, but less than all cards are displayed). The player then elects which one of the multiple displayed hands is to be played, and the draw poker game or stud poker game for that one hand proceeds to a resolution. Again, only a single hand of poker is played.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,041 describes Pai Gow Poker with an auxiliary game. In the ordinary play of Pai Gow Poker, seven cards are dealt to a player, and the player divides the hand into a five-card poker hand and a two-card poker hand. Each of the hands made by a player must beat equivalently created hands (five and two-card hands) dealt to the dealer. In addition to the normal play of Pai Gow Poker, a player has the option of placing a bonus bet. The bonus bet encompasses the attainment of hands of a predetermined rank and the award of bonuses for attaining those hands after the bonus bet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,613, a casino table or slot machine game is described. In the play of a hand of poker (either as a casino table card game or a video gaming apparatus or computer game), a partial hand is provided to a player after initial wager. The actual hand of poker involves the potential for at least two distinct games of poker being playable from that partial hand. The player may then elect to play one or more of the potential games from at least two distinct games of poker available for play with that hand. The nature of the at least two distinct games is that at least two of the games which may be played from the partial hand require decisions to be made where a decision with regard to a election of play strategy in one poker game that is intended to have or assist in getting a positive outcome is likely to have a negative effect or comprises an adverse strategy in the play of the second game. Various pay tables are provided that differ from each other, with respect to each single game, depending upon whether the player elects to play a single game with the partial poker hand or elects to play at least two games with continued play of the partial poker hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873 (Moody) teaches a method of playing a card game in which at least two rows of cards, and preferably three rows, are dealt to a player. The player makes a wager for each row of cards. One row of five cards is dealt all face up. The player selects none, one or more of the face up cards from the first row as cards to be held. The cards that are held are duplicated from the first row into all of the other rows. Replacement cards for the non-selected cards are dealt into the first row. Additional cards are also dealt to all of the other rows so that each row is a five card hand. The poker hand ranking of each five card hand by row is determined. The player is then paid for any winning poker hands based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager. The main hand is dealt face up and the other potential playable hands are dealt face down.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,066 (Moody) describes a card game in which at least two rows of cards, and preferably three rows, are dealt to a player. The player makes a wager for each row of cards. All three rows of cards are dealt face up with each row having the same cards by rank and suit. The player selects none, one or more of the face up cards from one of the rows as cards to be held. The cards that are held are also held in all of the other rows. Replacement cards for the non-selected cards are dealt into each row. The poker hand ranking of each five card hand by row is determined. The player is then paid for any winning poker hands based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager. This is a variation on an earlier Moody Patent wherein. All hands can be dealt up. Different variations include picking the main hand from multiple face-up hands, or choosing cards from vertical column positions instead of rows.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,621 (Marks et al.) describes a MODIFIED POKER CARD/TOURNAMENT GAME in which the modified poker card game allows a player to sequentially build a card hand after each round of play. The rules of play for the card game including dealing a first pair of cards to the player. The player then selects one of the pair of cards for the card hand, and discards the other card. The player repeats this process until the player has selected a predetermined number of cards that form the card hand. The resulting card hand is then compared to a predetermined winning schedule and/or to other players playing the modified poker game.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,780 (Awada) describes a MULTI POKER game. A player deposits money into a video poker machine to cause the machine to provide a display of a video image of a five card stud poker hand. The machine then disgorges a five card stud payout in accordance with a five card stud payout schedule. The player has an option of causing the machine to provide a video representation of an exchange any or all of the cards of the five card stud poker hand for randomly selected cards from the deck, whereby the machine provides a video image of a draw poker hand. The machine then disgorges a five card draw payout to the player in accordance with a five card draw payout schedule. The machine is then operable to provide a video display of an image of the draw poker hand augmented by two randomly selected cards. A seven card stud payout is then disgorged in accordance with a seven card stud payout schedule.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,998 (Singer et al.) describes a MODIFIED POKER SYSTEM WITH COMBINATION OF MULTIPLE GAMES USING AT LEAST SOME COMMON CARDS AND METHOD OF PLAYING THE SAME. A video poker game system and method includes dealing a card to a player for placement into one position of a hand having a predetermined number of positions. The player then arranges the dealt card in one position of the hand with an object of obtaining a hand having cards placed in a predetermined order. These steps are repeated until all of the predetermined number of positions in the player's hand are filled with dealt cards. A first payout is awarded to the player if the dealt cards of the hand are arranged in the predetermined order. In addition, a second payout is awarded to the player if the dealt cards of the hand constitute a payable hand as determined according to a winning hand payout schedule. The system and method also allow the player to optionally play a number of other games of the game which may result in additional payouts.

Published U.S. Patent Application 20030022709 describes COMBINED POKER GAMES. In one of three table games and in one of two games played on a gaming machine, three card Stud Poker, five card Stud Poker and seven card Stud Poker are combined. In a second table game, five card Stud Poker and Seven Card Stud Poker are combined. In a third table game three card Stud Poker and seven card Stud Poker are combined. In a second game played on the gaming machine, five card Draw Poker and seven card Stud Poker are combined. This is a variant of 3-5-7 card poker, mainly played at tables.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,271 (Kadlic) MULTIPLE PLAY PICK ONE POKER describes an electronic video draw poker machine is provided with a multi-hand screen display that can show a plurality of five card draw poker hands. A separate five card poker hand is displayed in each quadrant of the screen display with each five card hand being dealt from its associated, separate deck of playing cards. The initial deal of each five card hand is two cards face up and three cards face down. The player selects one of the sets of two face up cards to continue play. After the player has selected which set of two face up cards he wishes to play, the selected two face up cards are duplicated into the other three hand positions to replace the two face up cards in that hand position. The remaining face down cards in each hand are then revealed. The game then continues in the conventional manner with the player discarding and drawing replacement cards with respect to each of the four separate five card hands in an attempt to improve each hand. After the draw step is completed, each of the final five card hands are compared to a pay table based on poker hand ranking to determine if the player has achieved a winning combination. The amount of the payout to the player for a winning combination is based on the number of coins, tokens or credits wagered by the player and the type of winning hand achieved.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,882 (Kadlic) PICK ONE POKER describes an electronic video draw poker machine is provided with a multi-hand screen display that can show a plurality of five card draw poker hands at the same time. In the preferred embodiment, four separate hands are displayed. A separate five card poker is displayed on a quadrant of the screen display with each five card hand being dealt from its associated deck of playing cards. The initial deal of each five card hand is two cards face up and three cards face down. After the player has selected which five card hand he wishes to play, the game continues in the conventional manner with the player discarding and drawing replacement cards. After the draw step is completed, the final five card hand is compared to a pay table based on poker hand ranking to determine if the player has achieved a winning combination. The amount of the payout to the player for a winning combination is based on the number of coins, tokens or credits wagered by the player and the type of winning hand achieved. Alternatively, all of the initial hands can be dealt from a single deck of playing cards. After the player selects which of the initial hands the player wishes to play, all of the cards from the non-selected hands are returned to the deck to be available as possible replacement cards during the draw step.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,144 (Kadlic) BONUS JOKER POKER describes an electronic video draw poker machine is provided with a multi-hand screen display that can show a plurality of five card draw poker hands. A separate five card poker hand is displayed in each quadrant of the screen display with each five card hand being dealt from its associated, separate deck of playing cards. The initial deal of each five card hand is two cards face up and three cards face down. The player selects one of the sets of two face up cards to continue play. After the player has selected which set of two face up cards he wishes to play, the selected two face up cards are duplicated into the other three hand positions to replace the two face up cards in that hand position. The remaining face down cards in each hand are then revealed. The game then continues in the conventional manner with the player discarding and drawing replacement cards with respect to each of the four separate five card hands in an attempt to improve each hand. After the draw step is completed, each of the final five card hands are compared to a pay table based on poker hand ranking to determine if the player has achieved a winning combination. The amount of the payout to the player for a winning combination is based on the number of coins, tokens or credits wagered by the player and the type of winning hand achieved.

Published Patent Application 20010019193 (Gumina) INTERACTIVE GAMES AND METHOD OF PLAYING describes interactive games that provide a player with an opportunity to use skill and knowledge of conventional game strategy to facilitate greater player interest. The games described herein include simulated versions of blackjack, draw poker, hold'em, pick seven and roulette which are playable on video display terminals, scratch-off cards or pull tab cards interchangeably. Each casino game described herein has been modified for use with the card and video format to provide a simulated game which incorporates the strategy of the related casino game.

Published U.S. Patent Application 20030134670 (Kilby) ELECTRONIC POKER GAME describes an electronically implemented method of playing poker whereby a player selects one or more cards of a poker hand. Upon making a wager, the player selects a suit and value of one or more cards of the player's poker hand. Thereafter, the hand is completed pursuant to conventional poker rules corresponding to the particular poker game played. Suitable poker games include five card draw, five card stud, seven card stud and variations thereof. Once the player's hand is completed, the hand is compared to predefined winning hands to determine whether said player is entitled to an award. If the player is entitled, the player is paid an amount pursuant to a pre-established pay table including pay outs which are a function of the one or more cards selected initially. Multiple pay tables account for the countless unique combinations of selected cards.

Published U.S. Patent Application 20020198040 (Moody) describes a player that makes a wager to play multiple hands of a stud poker game. A plurality of initial partial hands are displayed to the player. Each initial partial hand has the same cards with the cards displayed face up to the player. Each hand is then completed as a stud poker final hand. The player wins or loses depending on the poker hand ranking of each final hand. If the player achieves two or more final hands of the same poker hand ranking, the amount won by the player is increased, preferably as multiples of the original payout amounts. (Moody) describes a game where a player makes a wager to play multiple hands of a stud poker game. A plurality of initial partial hands are displayed to the player. Each initial partial hand has the same cards with the cards displayed face up to the player. Each hand is then completed as a stud poker final hand. The player wins or loses depending on the poker hand ranking of each final hand. If the player achieves two or more final hands of the same poker hand ranking, the amount won by the player is increased, preferably as multiples of the original payout amounts.

Published U.S. Patent Application 20030027614 CASINO GAME WITH MULTIPLE PLAYING MODES AND WAGERING OPTIONS (Webb) describes a casino game incorporates at least a first compulsory playing mode and one or more optional playing modes without a house advantage. Preferably, the first playing mode is a three-, five- or seven-card poker game against a payout scale based on the respective hand poker rank or against both a payout scale and the dealer. Optional modes without a house advantage include head-to-head poker games against the dealer only and poker games against other players. Side wager options are also available for high hands, thereby increasing player interest by providing a chance for a high payout.

In summary, it is desired to find a game that is easy to play and also fast moving. When the player is provided with a considerable amount of participation, and additional winnings based on card combinations not related to the base game, these games become much more strategic and enjoyable. Furthermore, a game is more exciting if a player feels anticipation and excitement from a number of different sources throughout the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary poker-type game is provided (particularly in a video gaming apparatus format) which allows for the play of three to ten, 5-card hands based on a single wager. The game allows for increasing the wager before the initial deal to allow for a secondary game. The secondary game provides a same, single additional card to be added to each hand or fewer than all hands in the primary game. This creates a multiplicity of 6-card stud hands. A standard single playing card deck of 52 or up to 54 cards (with one or two jokers or even specialty cards for bonuses) is used in the play of the primary game. Unlike most multiple play games, each card in the deck is used only once in the totality of primary game hands, there being no duplication of any particular card. The single additional card for the secondary game, which is then duplicated into each of the primary 5-card hands or fewer than all of the primary five card hands, is dealt from the remaining unused cards.

The method of play in the primary game requires a choice of playing from three to ten hands at once, the additional choice of placing from approximately three to ten cards (“Place ′Em cards”) into the chosen number of hands, and a wager of equal credits per hand to be played. A wager in addition to the primary game wager (preferably 2×) will allow the player to play a secondary game based on the results of the primary game.

A different single card is dealt into each wagered hand from a single virtual deck. Then the Place ′Em cards are displayed one-at-a-time, with the player indicating the hand into which the Place ′Em card should be placed. This is facilitated by touching the particular hand on the screen or by pressing a corresponding numbered button on the machine. Placement decisions are based on trying to create the highest ranking poker hands. Place ′Em cards can be distributed into any hand, up to a total of 5 cards per hand. Once all Place ′Em cards have been positioned, cards from the remaining deck are dealt in a fixed or predetermined pattern into each hand until all hands contain 5 cards. All hands are then evaluated and paid according to a predetermined paytable.

If an additional wager for the secondary game was made (at the same time the primary wager was made, and before the primary game initial deal), a single card from the remaining unused cards in the original deck is added to each 5-card hand. This same single card is replicated into each 5-card primary game hand. Each resulting 6-card stud hand is then evaluated for the best 5-card hand, and paid according to a separate, lower-paying predetermined paytable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten card positions have been formatted in the play of up to ten hands.

FIG. 2 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the player has elected to play three hands.

FIG. 3 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands.

FIG. 4 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and a first Place ′Em poker card has been dealt.

FIG. 5 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and a second Place ′Em poker card has been dealt.

FIG. 6 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and a third Place ′Em poker card has been dealt.

FIG. 7 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and a fourth Place ′Em poker card has been dealt.

FIG. 8 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and a fifth Place ′Em poker card has been dealt.

FIG. 9 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and a sixth Place ′Em poker card has been dealt.

FIG. 10 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands and all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt.

FIG. 11 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands, all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt, and the first card from the remaining unused deck has been randomly chosen and dealt.

FIG. 12 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands, all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt, and the second card from the remaining unused deck has been randomly chosen and dealt.

FIG. 13 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands, all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt, and the third card from the remaining unused deck has been randomly chosen and dealt.

FIG. 14 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands, all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt, and the fourth card from the remaining unused deck has been randomly chosen and dealt.

FIG. 15 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands, all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt, and the fifth card from the remaining unused deck has been randomly chosen and dealt.

FIG. 16 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first three cards have been dealt in the play of three hands, all wagered Place ′Em™ cards have been dealt, and the sixth (and final) card from the remaining unused deck has been randomly chosen and dealt.

FIG. 17 shows the resolution of wagers from the three completed hands of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten cards have been dealt in the play of ten hands.

FIG. 19 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten cards have been dealt in the play of ten hands and the eight (8) wagered Place ′Em cards have been dealt and placed.

FIG. 20 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten cards have been dealt in the play of ten hands and the eight (8) Place ′Em cards have been dealt and placed and the hands completed by the deal of 32 cards from the remaining unused deck, and the wager resolution of all hands.

FIG. 21 shows the secondary game utilizing the resulting deal of the primary game shown in FIG. 20. One of the remaining unused cards is randomly dealt and duplicated into each 5-card primary game hand, making each a 6-card stud hand. An optimum 5-card hand is determined from each 6-card hand, and this secondary game resolution is shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method of playing a video poker wagering game comprises:

-   -   a) a player placing a wager on a video wagering game;     -   b) selecting a number of hands greater than one hand to be         played in the game;     -   c) one card being provided from at least one virtual deck to         each hand selected;     -   d) at least a first placeable card provided from remaining cards         in the at least one virtual deck;     -   e) the player placing the first placeable card in all or fewer         than all (including only a single hand) of the selected number         of hands from among the number of hands selected;     -   f) completing all of the number of hands selected; and     -   g) resolving the wager.         The determination of how many hands will receive the replacement         card can be based upon the size of the wager (for each hand or         total hands), a random determination by the processor, or by an         additional wager by the player that allows for different numbers         of hands to receive the replacement wager, based upon the size         of the additional wager or by entering into a side bet or         jackpot or bonus event with the additional wager.

The underlying game of the invention is played as follows. A player at an automated video gaming machine 2 an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The player makes a wager of the amount desired, and the processor (not shown) apportions the wager as equally as possible, usually in whole wagering units (e.g., pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, fifty-cents, dollars, or the like), although smaller or intermediate units of wagering may be applied to hands (e.g., 2 cents, three cents, eight cents, twenty cents, seventy-five cents, etc.). The player also indicates the number of hands that are being wagered on by exercising controls on player control button or touch screen location 4. Player control buttons 6, 8, 10 and 12 may also be used in combination with or separately from the set of touch screen controls 14. When the player has exercised play options, the selections 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 are displayed, as in FIG. 2. The individual hand placement areas 26, 28 and 30 are shadowed in or otherwise displayed. In FIG. 3, when the deal button 12 is pressed, the first three cards 32, 34 and 36 are dealt. There is no option as to where the cards are placed, as that is immaterial at this point. The cards are selected from a single virtual deck, so no cards can be repeated.

The video gaming apparatus 2 then timely displays the first Place ′Em poker card in display box 40. In this case, FIG. 4 shows that the player has elected hand 1, position 42 for the most strategic placement of the Six of Clubs. The video gaming apparatus 2 then timely displays the second Place ′Em poker card in display box 40. In this case, FIG. 5 shows that the player has elected hand 1, position 44 for the most strategic placement of the Five of Diamonds. The video gaming apparatus 2 then timely displays the third Place ′Em poker card in display box 40. In this case, FIG. 6 shows that the player has elected hand 2, position 46 for the most strategic placement of the Nine of Clubs. The video gaming apparatus 2 then timely displays the fourth Place ′Em poker card in display box 40. In this case, FIG. 7 shows that the player has elected hand 2, position 48 for the most strategic placement of the Seven of Clubs. The video gaming apparatus 2 then timely displays the fifth Place ′Em poker card in display box 40. In this case, FIG. 8 shows that the player has elected hand 3, position 50 for the most strategic placement of the Jack of Hearts. The video gaming apparatus 2 then timely displays the sixth Place ′Em poker card in display box 40. In this case, FIG. 9 shows that the player has elected hand 1, position 52 for the most strategic placement of the Two of Spades. FIG. 10 shows the video gaming apparatus 2 with the removal of the display of the sixth Place ′Em poker card and may remove the display box 40. FIG. 11 shows the first card (the Two of Clubs) from the remaining deck being randomly chosen and placed into hand 1 position 56. FIG. 12 shows the second card (the Queen of Diamonds) from the remaining deck being randomly chosen and placed into hand 2 position 58. FIG. 13 shows the third card (the Eight of Diamonds) from the remaining deck being randomly chosen and placed into hand 3 position 60. FIG. 14 shows the fourth card (the King of Clubs) from the remaining deck being randomly chosen and placed into hand 2 position 62. FIG. 15 shows the fifth card (the Five of Spades) from the remaining deck being randomly chosen and placed into hand 3 position 64. FIG. 16 shows the sixth card (the Ace of Hearts) from the remaining deck being randomly chosen and placed into hand 3 position 66.

FIG. 17 shows the three hands 80, 82 and 84 having been completed, and the apparatus displaying the wager resolutions for the three hands 86 and 88.

FIG. 18 shows a video monitor apparatus 2 formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten cards 90 have been dealt in the play of ten hands. Again, the placement or order of these individual cards selected from a single virtual deck are not critical.

FIG. 19 shows a video monitor apparatus 2 formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten cards have been dealt in the play of ten hands and the eight (8) wagered Place ′Em cards 92 have been dealt and placed according to the player's decisions.

FIG. 20 shows a video monitor apparatus formatted for play of Place ′Em™ poker in which the first ten cards have been dealt in the play of ten hands and the eight (8) Place ′Em cards have been dealt and placed by the player and the hands 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118 completed by the deal of the remaining 32 cards. The filling of the spaces may be done by a predetermined format or program. For example, the most convenient would be taking sequential cards from the virtual deck and placing them in the first available space. Another program might be randomly selecting available hands and placing cards in random available positions. The wager resolution of all hands in this primary game are also shown.

FIG. 21 shows the secondary game of Game 2. One card of the remaining cards in the deck has been displayed in large format on the right of the screen, and the same card has then been added to each of the ten 5-card hands. Each resulting 6-card stud hand 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138 has then been evaluated for the best ranking 5-card poker hand, and the resulting pays according to a reduced paytable are shown. The reduced paytable is provided as the probability for higher ranked hands has increased with the additional card, so the respective payout is reduced. Hand 1 wins 1 credit for 3-of-a-Kind. Hand 4 wins 400 credits for a Royal Flush. Hand 6 wins 1 credit for 3-of-a-Kind and Hand 7 wins 3 credits for a Straight. The total win of 405 credits has been added to the Total Credits, now at 797 credits.

A number of alternative features and methods of play are available in the practice of the present invention. The game may dictate a specified number of hands to be played, and/or a specified number of Place ′Em™ cards available. Alternately, the player may choose the number of hands (from three to ten) to be played, and/or the number of Place ′Em™ cards (from three to ten). Although game examples have been shown where the player has exactly six or eight placement cards (Place ′Em™ poker cards), the player may have some degree of control over the number of Place ′Em™ poker cards that will appear in the hand. This could be controlled by pressing the touch screen area 24 (in FIG. 2) alone or in conjunction with the lower player control buttons 6. Depending upon the number of Place ′Em™ poker cards selected and the number of hands selected, the paytable may vary. This provides even greater feeling of control for the player. 

1. A method of playing a video poker wagering game comprising: a) a player placing a wager on a video wagering game; b) selecting a number of hands greater than one hand to be played in the game; c) one card being provided from at least one virtual deck to each hand selected; d) at least a first placeable card provided from remaining cards in the at least one virtual deck; e) the player placing the first placeable card in all or less than all of the selected number of hands from among the number of hands selected; f) completing all of the number of hands selected; and g) resolving the wager.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein less than all of the selected number of hands consists of only a single hand.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein only a single virtual deck is used as the at least one virtual deck.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein there are 52 cards in the single virtual deck.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the number of hands selected are between 3 and 10 hands, inclusive.
 6. The method of claim 3 wherein the number of hands selected are between 3 and 10 hands, inclusive.
 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the hands are completed to provide a 5-card poker hand.
 8. The method of claim 2 wherein the hands are completed to provide a 5-card poker hand.
 9. The method of claim 5 wherein the hands are completed to provide a 5-card poker hand.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein a second wager may be placed before step f) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.
 11. The method of claim 2 wherein a second wager may be placed before step f) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.
 12. The method of claim 2 wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.
 13. The method of claim 5 wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.
 14. The method of claim 8 wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completed.
 15. The method of claim 2 wherein the player is allowed to place only 10 or fewer cards in repeated steps.
 16. The method of claim 5 wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completing steps d) and e) 9 or fewer times.
 17. The method of claim 9 wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completing steps d) and e) 9 or fewer times.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein a second wager may be placed before step c) to have an additional card provided as a common card to all or fewer than all poker hands when completing steps d) and e) 9 or fewer times.
 19. A video gaming apparatus having a video monitor, processor and player controls that is programmed to enable play of the method of claim
 1. 20. A video gaming apparatus having a video monitor, processor and player controls that is programmed to enable play of the method of claim
 2. 